Background
He was born in Purcell, Indian Territory (now Oklahoma), the son of William Pfeiffer (1869-?) and Susan Garfinkel (1869-?). His brother was Harry R. Pfeiffer (1896-?). His father was a lawyer
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William Townsend
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Education
He attended the public schools of Purcell, Ardmore and Oklahoma City, and the University of Southern California, where he was a member of the Chi Phi Fraternity.
Career
He was a Representative from New York in the 77th Congress and ambassador to the Dominican Republic. During World War I, Pheiffer served as a private in the cavalry of the United States. Army, in 1918. He earned a law degree at the law school of the University of Oklahoma, in 1919.
That same year, he was admitted to the bar and began working in general practice like his father.
He practiced in Sayre, Oklahoma, from 1923 to 1926. In 1924, he was a candidate for the 2nd District in the Oklahoma Senate.
Pheiffer moved to Amarillo, Texas, in 1926, and continued the practice of law. In 1932, he was an alternate delegate from Texas at the Republican National Convention in Chicago, Illinois.
He was a delegate to the Republican State conventions in 1936 and 1942.
In 1939, he moved to New York City. The following year, he was elected by a wide margin to represent the 16th Congressional District on the East Side of Manhattan in the 77th Congress, January 3, 1941 to January 3, 1943. Pheiffer was the first Republican to carry the district, defeating the Democratic incumbent, James Fay.
He was defeated for reelection by Fay by 80 votes in 1942.
The 16th District was merged with others in a 1944 reapportionment. During World World War II, Pheiffer entered the Army as a captain of the cavalry and served from March 12, 1943, to April 22, 1944.
On August 1, 1944, he was appointed counsel to the Petroleum Administration for War, Washington, District of Columbia, and served until February 8, 1945. He was also an executive assistant in charge of the New York headquarters of the Republican National Committee from 1945 to 1948.
President Eisenhower appointed Pheiffer the Ambassador to the Dominican Republic on May 28, 1953.
His full title was Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and his presentation of credentials took place on June 29. Pheiffer then returned with his bride to the Dominican Republic and they took up residence together at the United States. Embassy in Ciudad Trujillo (now Santo Domingo). He served at his post as envoy until June 2, 1957.
At his death, his law office was at 645 Madison Avenue.
He died at age 88 at his home in New York City.
Membership
He then resumed private practice as a member of the New York and Washington law firm of Pheiffer, Stephens & Weaver.
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Born
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Died
August 16, 1986 (aged 88) -
Political Party
Republican party